What was a significant innovation during the Industrial Revolution in England in the late 18th century?

A significant innovation during the Industrial Revolution in England in the late 18th century was the division of labor. This concept refers to the breakdown of production processes into distinct tasks, allowing workers to specialize in particular activities. Such specialization increases efficiency and productivity, as workers become highly skilled at their specific tasks.

During the Industrial Revolution, this approach transformed many industries, especially manufacturing, facilitating faster production rates and lower costs. An example of this innovation can be seen in factories where assembly lines were established, akin to what would later embody mass production techniques. The division of labor enabled the rapid scaling of output, significantly contributing to economic growth and the shift from agrarian economies to industrialized societies.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately represent significant innovations of this time period. The telephone and the internet were developed much later, while classical economics, though important, is more of a theoretical framework that developed through the thoughts of economists like Adam Smith and did not represent a practical innovation in production methods.